Mini-purse



MINI-PURSE Filed Jan. 5, 1968 INVENTOR ORSINO H. BOSCA A T'TORNE Y United States Patent 3,496,979 MINI-PURSE Orsino H. Bosca, Springfield, Ohio, assignor to Hugo Bosca Company, Inc., Springfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Jan. 5, 1968, Ser. No. 696,020 Int. Cl. A45c 1/08 U.S. Cl. 150-35 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A French type purse affording maximum currency capacity for minimal size characterized by a wide pouch having a thin fold-over flap extension incorporating a laterally extensible overlay, the latter providing an expansible improved receptacle for paper currency and the like and endowing the purse with an improved slim-line design in its closed condition.

The present invention relates to a new and improved slim-line French type purse. Embodiments are particularly characterized by a pouch including a flap-like extension which is foldable into immediate proximity to the pouch and incorporates therein a unique laterally extensible overlay forming a receptacle for paper currency. The overlay is so designed as to facilitate the introduction, storage and removal of paper currency and papers of like form. It is so connected to inherently facilitate a fiat folding thereof to an out of sight position. The character of the overlay is such that when the flap extension is folded, the receptacle produced by the overlay so disposes its contents as to give the purse a thin compact form.

While quite popular with women, purses of the French type have exhibited serious shortcomings and presented numerous problems in their use. First, most purses of this nature are characterized by excessive bulkiness. Secondly, the construction of such purses normally provides limited change capacity and is such they cannot conveniently accommodate paper currency. Moreover, the introduction thereto and removal therefrom of such currency is normally a fumbling procedure and produces a quick wear of the purse material.

The present invention overcomes the above mentioned objectionable characteristics in producing a French type purse incorporating the improved features of construction and inherent meritorious characteristics which are hereinafter set forth.

A primary object of the invention is to simplify the construction and use of purses of the character described making them more economical to manufacture and more efficient and satisfactory in use.

A further object of the invention is to provide improvements in the French type purse to provide such purses with optimal capacity for papers and paper currency of all sorts while inhibiting visual evidence of bulk.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively slim-line purse capable of maintaining a fiat compact form and serving, more efficiently, the dual function of a change purse and a billfold.

An additional object of the invention is to produce a dual purpose hand purse which is neither excessively bulky nor difficult to use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dual purpose purse characterized by a pouch portion of maximum capacity for minimal size having a flap-type extension incorporating a uniquely formed, extensible, pleated overlay producing an optimally sized receptacle for paper currency, said overlay normally disposing in a fiat hideaway position between the flap extension and the pouch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a French type purse of slim-line design embodying a laterally extensible inherently fiat sheet overlay forming a fold-away receptacle adapted to freely receive therein and formed to facilitate the removal therefrom of paper currency.

Another object of the invention is to provide a paper and paper currency receptacle in a hand type purse of a form to prevent loss of its contents while enabling their ready removal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a purse possessing the advantageous structural features, the inherent meritorious characteristics and the means and mode of use herein described.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view, as will more fully appear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected by Letters Patent consists of the features of construction and mode of use thereof hereinafter described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

Referring to the drawings wherein is shown one but obviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closed purse which embodies the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same purse in an open extended condition;

FIG. 3 presents, on an enlarged scale, a transverse sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the unique extensible overlay incorporated in the purse of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the basic pattern of the sheet element forming said overlay.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the several views.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a French purse in accordance with the present invention presents, when in a closed, folded, condition, a relatively slim, fiat and petite appearance, producing a Mini-Purse, the unique characteristics of which will be further described. It should be understood that such purses are intended primarily for use by Women and the benefits thereof are of particular advantage to women.

Referring to the drawings, the illustrated purse includes a pouch 1 formed from leather or other suitable material secured to depend from a hinged metal frame. Such frame includes two oppositely disposed inverted U-shaped elements 4. The latter are hinged at their respectively adjacent dependent leg extremities by pins 5. At their respectively adjacent ends which project slightly inward of the pouch, the pins 5 pivotally mount the dependent extremities of the legs of a smaller U-shaped metal frame element 6. Suitably fixed in the latter, coextensively therewith and dependent therefrom, is a small sheet of material which is otherwise attached to and forms a central divider for the pouch l.

Forming a receptacle for the pouch 1 is a second pliable pouch made up of an inner layer 7 and an outer layer 8 of sheet-like material. These layers are respectively and conventionally secured at one end in one of the hinged frame elements 4. The layers 7 and 8 are of such width and length that as they are otherwise sewn together throughout their peripheral extent they immediately enclose and extend longitudinally from the pouch 1. This second pouch while immediately enclosing the pouch 1 at its upper extremity is of such a length to form a flaplike extension 2 adapted to fold over, lie in immediate proximity to the pouch 1 and achieve therewith a flat, compact and slim-line appearance.

It should be noted that the outer layer 8 is made slightly larger than the inner layer 7 so that peripheral portions thereof not secured in the frame 4 may be bent over, contain the periphery of the layer 7, and be secured in this position.

Particular attention must be taken of the fact that the pouch 1 occupies substantially the complete transverse extent of the outer pouch and about one-half its longitudinal extent.

A small rectangular section 9 of sheet material is superposed on and stitched to the outer surface of the layer 7, within the boundary delimited by the underlying pouch 1. So applied, the section 9 forms a utility pocket open at its uppermost edge most adjacent the frame elements 4. This pocket is of a size to accommodate credit cards, charge plates and like items.

Noting FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lower dependent portion of layer 7 of the flap extension 2 mounts an overlay 10 which forms therewith a receptacle of a unique character.

A plan view of the overlay 10 is shown in FIG. of the drawings. In transversely extended form it has a generally rectangular sheet-like configuration, its rectangularity being modified the extent of its lower edge. The material is pliable.

At the respective extremities of its lower edge the overlay is formed to provide it with arcuately rounded corner portions and 16. As shown in FIG. 4 the corner 15 is at the right and the corner 16 at the left. Approximately centered between the corners 15 and 16 the lower edge of the overlay has formed therein a vertical notch 17. The portion 23 of the lower edge extending between the notch 17 and corner 15 is indented to form an arc of a generally uniform radius. Note that the lower edges of the layers 7 and 8 are so formed and connected to define a corresponding arc. Adjacent and spaced from the corner 15 the overlay is formed at the lower edge with a second vertical notch 18 corresponding in nature with and parallel to the notch 17. Centered between the notches 17 and 18 and of slightly lesser depth is a cut 19. Moreover, between the notches 17 and 18 the lower edge of the overlay is indented and formed on a straight line. Through the medium of the cut 19, this last produces two relatively small rectangular areas 20 and 21 of rectangular form which fold upwardly and inwardly of the overlay on a common line 22. The purpose of this will be further described.

The overlay 10 has its lateral extremities applied to so dispose on the lateral extremities of the layer 7 as to underlie the turned over portions of the layer 8. In such position the lateral extremities of the elements 7, 8 and 10 are stitched together.

It has been previously mentioned that the lower extremity of flap extension 2 afforded by the layers 7 and 8 are of an arcuate form corresponding to the curve of the overlay edge portion 23. Attention is directed to the fact that the portion 23 has a length almost that of the transverse extent of the flap extension 2. The difference in the transverse extent is made up by the corner portion 16. Accordingly, as the lateral extremities of the overlay are stitched in position, the corner portion 16 and the edge portion 23 are disposed in immediately following overlying coextensive relation to the lower curved edge of the layer 7 whereupon the extended portion of the layer 8 is turned thereover and the superposed elements, so contained, are stitched together. It will be seen at this point that this connection leaves free the lower edge portions 20 and 21 of the overlay which are turned up on the line 22.

The construction described and the selective spaced attachment of the peripheral portions of the overlay inherently provides that there be produced in the overlay two folds. One fold 24 is in vertical alignment with the location of the notch 17 and the other fold 25 in vertical alignment with the cut 19. This produces a pleated effect as the free portion of the overlay is folded over O the line 24 and provides a laterally extensible flap portion 12 shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. To the right of the flap portion 12 there is a portion of the overlay identified as 11 over which the flap 12 will inherently fold when the entire purse is to be closed as seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

With the flap portion 12 laterally extended one achieves a receptacle sized for disposition therein of paper currency. The construction of the overlay being that the flap 12 may be readily and inherently disposed back in an overlying immediate proximity to the portion 11, this enables the contained currency or papers of like form to effectively fold in an exceedingly compact manner. The form of the overlay is such as to preclude the possibility of accidental loss of the contained currency.

It will be seen therefore that the notches 17 and 18 together with the cut 19 facilitate the formation of a unique receptacle for storing currency. While the flap or pleated portion 12 may be freely moved outwardly in a lateral sense, on release the flap will inherently tend to dispose inwardly towards a folded condition, even with the contained currency which it securely grips.

Attention is directed to the fact that the arcuate configuration for the projected end of flap extension 2 and the corresponding configuration of the portion 23 of the overlay has a dual function. In this respect, noting FIG. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that a short strap 3 is centered on the frame element 4 containing the upper end of layer 7. The projected end of the strap mounts a male fastener element. A complemental female fastener element is appropriately positioned in fixed relation to the outer surface of layer 8. When the fiap extension 2 is folded up to overlie the receptacle 9, the projected extremity of the flap extension, due to its arcuate curve, is readily accommodated and disposes snugly in underlying immediate proximity to'the frame with the strap 3 freely disposing in overlying relation thereto at its center. This enables the male and female snap elements to readily interconnect. From its indented center the now upwardly disposed lower extremity of the flap extension 2 curves upwardly and outwardly to the corners of the frame assembly at the mouth of the pouch. The arrangement is such to produce a folded purse of essentially no greater size than that dictated by the size of the pouch 1. There is thus a pouch of significant capacity and a small compact overlay which readily and functionally accommodates paper currency. There are means which fully serve all the needs that must normally be served and to a significant extent.

A further function of the arcuate configuration of the lower margin of the flap extension 2 is that in inserting currency in the receptacle formed by the overlay the bills seat on the apex of the curve at its bottom and the corners 15 and 16, due to their form, insure there is no restriction or limitation in reference to the ends of the paper currency or any like articles which may be similarly stored. The freedom for the comers of the currency facilitates its removal and avoids bulkiness that would be inherent in the purse in the absence of the arcuate configuration of the lower corners of the flap extension and the connected overlay. As far as the construction is concerned, the bulkiness of the lower corners of the flap extension would be considerably greater if one had to produce a corner rather than the arcuate expanded corners here provided.

Therefore, we have here a purse of improved construction, of compact and slim-line design, and one having improved functional characteristics. The features are such as to enable a purse of the described type having maximum capacity for minimal size in the closed state.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advanage before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, bu that the means and construction herein disclosed comprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A purse defining a top opening pouch, a free hanging flap extension adapted to project beyond the bottom of said pouch and to fold to a stored position on an exterior side of the pouch in overlying proximity, and a sheet-like overlay attached to form an expansible receptacle on said extension, said overlay being oversized with respect to at least one dimension of said extension and formed to pleat so as to freely fold on itself and dispose compactly on said extension, Within the bounds thereof.

2. A purse as in claim 1 characterized by said overlay disposing on a projected extremity of said extension and being pleated to inherently fold yet provide, as required, a lateral extension of said receptacle.

3. A purse as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said overlay being a generally rectangular section of pliable sheet-like material greater in size in respect to the projected portion of said extension only in respect to its lateral extent, said overlay being attached to said extension at spaced points in a manner to inherently produce a free folding single pleat in said overlay.

4. A purse as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said overlay being of greater lateral extent than said extension, means attaching said overlay to said extension across its transverse and longitudinal projected margins, the attachment of the overlay to said transverse margin being interrupted at a point adjacent and in closely spaced relation to one of said longitudinal margins, a pleat in said overlay being formed at the point of interruption and inherently folding to overlie in a sense transversely of the extension.

5. A purse as set forth in claim 1 characterized by said receptacle in an expanded form thereof providing a section corresponding in size to paper currency, said overlay in folded form disposing the contents of said receptacle in close proximity to and within the bounds of the adjacent surface of said extension.

6. A purse according to claim 1, wherein said flap extension folds about the bottom of the pouch in being placed in a stored position and in said stored position is substantially within outline dimensions of the pouch, characterized further by means for releasably holding said flap extension in stored position.

I. A purse according to claim 1, wherein said sheetlike overlay extends laterally of said extension and is elongated relatively to the side to side dimension of said extension, the ends of said overlay attaching to respective side edges of said extension and said overlay having a pair of vertically extending laterally spaced apart crease formations intermediate its ends providing that said overlay tends to fold upon itself for compact storage, said overlay readily expanding in use to project laterally of said extension for insertion and extraction of paper our rency and the like.

8. A purse including a pouch, means defining a flap extension adapted to project from said pouch and to fold thereon in overlying proximity, and a sheet-like overlay attached to form a receptacle on said extension, said overlay being oversized with respect to at least one dimension of said extension and formed to pleat so as to freely fold on itself and dispose compactly on said extension, Within the bounds thereof, the base of said receptacle being convex Within the bounds of said extension and said receptacle being of a configuration to immediately contain paper currency and the like to seat on a line including the apex of said base.

9. A purse including a pouch, means defining a fiap extension adapted to project from said pouch and to fold thereon in overlying proximity, and a sheet-like overlay attached to form a receptacle on said extension, said overlay being oversized with respect to at least one dimension of said extension and formed to pleat so as to freely fold on itself and dispose compactly on said extension, within the bounds thereof, said overlay including in one longitudinal margin thereof spaced notches, said notches being located in closely adjacent relation upon attachment of the overlay to said extension to form thereby in said overlay at least one pleat which inherently tends to fold to dispose within the bounds of said extension.

10. A purse as set forth in claim 8 characterized by said overlay having one pleat and an area of reduced transverse dimension intermediate the spaced notches coextensive With said pleat, the longitudinal margins of said area at one edge of said overlay being free of the extension and secured together to provide the pleat with a closed bottom longitudinally of the overlay.

11. A purse including a pouch, means defining a flap extension adapted to project from said pouch and to fold thereon in overlying proximity, and a sheet-like overlay attached to form a receptacle on said extension, said overlay being oversized with respect to at least one dimension of said extension and formed to pleat so as to freely fold on itself and dispose compactly on said extension, within the bounds thereof, said overlay providing a receptacle formed by the attachment of the overlay to a projected extremity of said extension, means providing that the bottom seat of the receptacle be in upwardly spaced relation relative projected corners of said extension, said extension including an arcuate transverse margin on its projected extremity, arcuate corners interconnecting the longitudinal margins of said extension with said arcuate extremity, said arcuate corners being relatively large in radius and extending more than between the longitudinal margins and said projected extremity of said extension, the bottom of said receptacle being in a line transverse to and including the highest point of the arcuate curve of the projected extremity of said extension.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,264,547 4/1918 Nickel --38 1,707,025 3/1929 Scheerer 15038 1,787,054 12/1930 Scheuer l50-38 2,030,496 2/1936 Buxton 15037 2,124,287 7/1938 Claviez 15037 2,788,824 4/1957 Broughton 15035 2,854,051 9/1958 Lowe 150-35 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 15 038 

